One month had passed in entirety since everything had changed.  Everyone she had worked with, or even known were all dead and gone at this point.  She hadnât seen another living person in almost a week, and even then⊠she wasnât sure what to call them exactly.  She had been traveling on her own, her only form of defense being a handgun she had purchased years back because she didnât live in the best part of town.  Her ammo was running low, but she was thankful to have narrowly escaped a few situations though none of her shots seemed to keep those things down.  She wasnât the best shot, so eventually she learned to take out their movement so she could better escape.
But now? Down to what little ammunition she had, she was lacking the drive to get anywhere.  What was the point if she was going to be alone?  She had to talk to herself to try and keep her sanity, the silence was damn near deafening at times.  But for some reason, a spark of hope ignited when her car began to clank once it began running out of gas and when it finally came to a rolling halt, across the road was a vacant parking lot and a mall she had visited once or twice with some friends from work.  Before exiting her car, her eyes shifted around the area to be certain no dead was in sight before sheâd tru and make the trek to get inside.  She remembered that the building was two stories, and the only way to get upstairs was by elevator but she imagined a large building like that would have one hell of a generator. The lack of vacant vehicles in the parking lot gave her hope in the sense of their being little to no dead within.  Or so she hoped. The cold air cut against her cheeks, causing her to shudder and clutch the handgun as she looked around cautiously.  It was only a matter of time before it would snow, and she wondered if she could get into the mall if it would suffice as a stable shelter in months to come.  She checked the main entrances, disappointed that all doors were locked and she took note to little stickers notifying that they were shatterproof (knowing it would defintely be safe if she could get in).  She began to move along the building, looking for anyway in and in the distance she could see figures moving steadily towards where she was.  "Shit.â  She muttered, throwing caution to the wind and picking up the pace as she looked for a way, anyway in.  The groans and growls in the distance grew louder with every moment, making her hands shake and  suddenly her eye caught site of a fire escape ladder that was dangling just out of reach.  She shot a glance back to be sure she had enough time to pull herself up the ladder, especially with how weak she had felt as of late. she tucked her gun in her pants, pulling her sweatshirt down over it and reached for the ladder, realizing it was further out of reach then she thought.  The groans closed in, and she glanced back seeing that the few things had noticed her and had began moving faster to get to her and she knew she had to muster up all the strength she had left.  She took a deep breath and jumped, fingers barely grazing the rusted metal.  "C'mon, Riv. Come on!â  She said, taking another deep breath and jumping - this time her fingers curled around the bar and she pulled up with all her might, moving one hand up after the next to pull up until her feet to find the first bar.  At that point the few dead growled and swatted at the bar, not being able to figure out how to pull themselves up.  Once she had reached the safety of the cage, she jerked the ladder up and far out of reach for the few.  She panted, trying to catch her breath and laughing when she realized she had actually made it up the ladder.  When she had finally settled herself, she moved up the steps to get to the rough and sat atop the ledge for a moment, gazing out into the distance wondering if their was anyone out their.  To her surprise, she her the familiar click of a gun being cocked behind her and the footsteps against the rubble. âDonât move a fuckinâ muscle.â  A man said holding his own revolver upright and directly at the back of her head, out of instinct River lifted her hands up. âPlease, Iâm just looking for safety.â  She said, her voice shaking as she began to turn.  "I said donât fuckinâ move!! Eden! Get over here, we got a live one.â  He called and River froze, her body beginning to tremble more.
Months ago before any of this started Eden was just getting her life back to normal, or so she was trying to at least. Before the world ended (in her opinion.) She had a good life, a good family, did everything she could to try and make the Emerson family name mean something to her. She grew up with her father in the military so she was always moving and meeting new people. Which is probably why she, herself, joined the U.S Marine Corps. Working her hard to get her two Expert Marksmanship badges. During her second tour she was sent to Afghanistan with her commanding Sergeant. She could remember the whole situation as if it happened two hours ago. She could feel the phantom pain shoot through her abdomen, from something that would only haunt her in her dreams.
She could remember hearing a little girl screaming that her brother needed help, in a restricted warzone area where no civilians should trespass. She swore that someone in her troop cleared the area. She didnât understand why there was this little girl who was about seven or eight (by her judgment) in this area. With her instincts, she moved out of the spot she was stationed at she headed towards her. Unaware of the trap she was walking in. âEmerson!? Where are you going!? What are you doing?â She heard her commanding officer shout at her. âSheâs harmless, Sir. Iâm getting her out of the way.â She spoke before kneeling down by her. Watching her as she clutched onto her old ratty teddy bear. Giving her a gentle smile she moved her gun away to show her she had nothing to worry about.  âYou shouldnât be out here sweetheart. You need to go. Itâs dangerous. Lets get you to safety.â Eden spoke softly, as she watched the little girl take a small step to her left., while she stood to her full height.  Giving her a confusing look her eyes spotted a slightly older boy in the distance, in an ally way. âIs that yo-âŠâ Before she could get the question out she heard the gunshot and an unbelievable amount of pain washing over her.  Falling to the ground she held her hand over her wound. Trying to keep her eyes open she bit back the scream she wanted to let out. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard another bullet fly out of the barrel from behind her, and the little boy in the distance quickly dropping to the pavement -his rifle hitting the ground soon after.
Eden woke up into an honorable discharge for her bravery that she found nothing honorable about. Which led her to go home and find another career that she could somewhat enjoy â which was being a Police Officer for a city that she was hoping wouldnât be too chaotic. Â It was nice to be in somewhat of a simple place, simple laws, and simple people what could go wrong, right? Thatâs what she thought before she was holding civilians in a school how away from the âdeadâ. She wasnât sure if she could call them that? They mightâve been dead but they surely knew how to walk and eat, or infect others around them. This apocalyptic curse or malfunction in the human genome whatever it was that caused this made her lock civilians up in a school for their own protection. Thatâs where she met Andrew Ryker. Rationing through the supplies they had there before she took the remaining ones to the mall a couple of miles down the road. Figuring they would have more supplies, more room to move around. Upon arriving she was more than surprise to see other âsurvivorsâ taking refuge in there. Great minds must think a like right? Â
Andrew and her where met with others but the one that stuck out the most to her was Jack. He seemed like the leader, very calm under the pressure of everything that was happening outside this two story soundproof walls. Making sure to keep herself more alerted then she probably should be. Eden felt like she needed to protect the ones she brought with her, as if they where her responsibility. So when they started to disappear or get infected she would cross them off on a notepad she had held in her pocket. Chewing on her bottom lip she decided to take post on the roof to see what was out there, who was out there. Knowing Andrew was with her she tucked her rifle under her arm with a pistol fastened in its holster for extra protection. Tucking the but of her sniper rifle against her shoulder she looked through the scope. Slowly checking the premise for âwalkersâ or any other humans left. Seeing them aimlessly walking around she took in a deep breath before shifting her eyes around to check on Drew before she went back to what she was doing. Pulling her heavy closer to her body she set the rifle on the ground.
She was just about to relax before hearing Drew call for her. âA live one?â she spoke to herself before pulling the glock 22 that was issued to her from the police academy, she held a very steady hand as she kept it pointed at the ground she moved to the younger boys side. Glancing River over she furrowed her brows. âHave you been bitten? Are you wounded?â She asked making sure not to get closer to her. âIn order for him to put the gun down we have to make sure youâre not infected. We donât mean to scare you, but we canât risk it.â She stated in a calmly matter. Cautiously moving closer to her she gave he a gentle smile. Putting her gun back into her holster, fastening the button. Letting her know she didnât mean any harm. âIâm Eden, This is Andrew. Iâm just going to look you over before we take you inside. Is that okay?â She asked closing the distance between them. Â